Tucker the hippo finally leaves Topeka Zoo for new home

Topeka  It took some time and a lot of hay, but Tucker the hippopotamus has left the Topeka Zoo for a new home in California.

The hippopotamus on Tuesday walked into a crate and began his move to the San Francisco Zoo.

Zoo director Brendan Wiley says it took only about five minutes to load Tucker, who ate hay the entire time. That was a change from Nov. 30. Tucker refused to get into the crate that day, so zoo staff decided to give the 3,700-pound hippo extra time to prepare for the move.

Tucker is being moved because the Topeka Zoo doesn’t have room for him, a female hippo and their baby, which was born in August.